Friday in Hawkville

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WORD OF THE DAY
D.J. As in, Hackett. As in the player who is supposed to be the Seahawks starting split end.

The initial reaction after watching him in practice this week is that Hackett is not ready to return from the high ankle sprain that has sidelined him since the first quarter of the season opener. But coach Mike Holmgren stopped short of ruling Hackett out after Friday’s 90-minute session, and he is listed as questionable on the injury report – a designation that means there is 50 percent chance Hackett could play.

“I’m not sure yet,” Holmgren said when asked if Hackett would play Sunday against the St. Louis Rams at Qwest Field. “I’m hoping Hackett can play. Now he hasn’t practiced a lot, but I’ve got to talk to him and see how he feels tomorrow.”

PLAYER OF THE DAY
Jordan Babineaux. He was a full-service nickel back in practice, lining up with the No. 1 defense as well as the scout defense that works against the No. 1 offense.

Babineaux had an interception in the end zone, was all over a pass into the flat and batted away another pass.

The fourth-year defensive back from Southern Arkansas earned the nickname “Big Play Babs” for his efforts the past two seasons. But this season, he has yet to deliver one of his trademark plays.

If his efforts in practice were any indication, that could change Sunday.

INJURY REPORT
Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard (sore groin) and tight end Marcus Pollard (sore knee) practiced for the first time this week and are expected to play. They were on the same schedule last week. Pollard is listed as question and Bernard as probable.

Definitely out for the game against the Rams are wide receiver Deion Branch (sprained foot) and offensive lineman Ray Willis (sprained knee).

In St. Louis, Rams running back Steven Jackson (groin) was ruled out Friday. But it appears center Brett Romberg (ankle) will play. That will allow Andy McCollum to remain at left guard on an offensive line that already is missing Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Pace and left guard Mark Setterstrom, who are on injured reserve.

No. 3 wide receiver Drew Bennett (hamstring) is listed as questionable, but not expected to play. That moves second-year man Marques Hagans, a quarterback at Virginia, into the third spot with starters Torry Holt (knee) and Isaac Bruce (hamstring) – who are playing with injuries.

Wide receiver Dane Looker (thigh), who played at UW and Puyallup High School, also is listed as questionable.

QUOTE UNQUOTE
“We’ve condensed some things and tried to make it a little less chaotic – a little bit less to learn – in hopes that we can be assignment correct and do the right thing most of the time.” – Holmgren, on his less-is-more approach to the game plan after all the problems the Seahawks had in their back-to-back losses to the Steelers and Saints.